Village Forester Mike Collins and Public Works staff will be conducting an ecological burn in the Swan Pond area between 1-2 p.m. today. The sidewalk will be closed to pedestrian traffic during this time.
The Village periodically conducts ecological burns during the spring and fall seasons to manage natural areas throughout the Village. Ecological burns encourage growth of native vegetation while discouraging the growth of invasive nonnative species. Many of our native plant species have coevolved with fire and will benefit from the application of this important ecological process. A test burn will be conducted to evaluate weather conditions prior to the implementation of prescribed burning for the entire area.
Residents with respiratory health conditions may ask to be added to the burn notification list by contacting Maribeth Reimer at (708) 442-3590, ext. 500. As ecological burns are dependent on weather and wind conditions, the Public Works Department will conduct burns as allowable. The Village will continue to notify residents as soon as possible about future controlled burns.